Chapter 1
Maya Pendragon was the second daughter of the Count Pendragon family, a noble house that inherited the blood of the great White Dragon.
However, the once-great and glorious honor of House Pendragon had long since fallen into decline.
Before Maya was born, the family had not produced a single Swordmaster for several generations.
On top of that, the Count of Pendragon had squandered even the little wealth they had left.
“We are the noble Pendragon family, so we must wear the finest clothes, live in expensive houses, and eat only the best things! If money is not enough, we’ll just marry you off!”
Her family, drunk on their past glory, kept piling up debt and planned to sell Maya off instead.
And then, something happened that made their eyes light up.
The Grand Duke Tristan Beyaden, ruler of the North—known as the “Emperor of the North” except for the title itself—proposed marriage to her.
Despite being called the ruler of the North, he was a mysterious man who never attended social gatherings.
In other words, he had never once shown his face in public.
Because of his position as Grand Duke, he remained a constant topic of gossip even without appearing in society.
Even Maya, who was ignorant of rumors, had heard of him.
Some said he hid his face because he looked like a monster. Others said he suffered from an incurable illness.
But the Grand Duke never bothered to deny any of these rumors.
Why would such an isolated man propose to her?
“Why me?”
Maya could not understand his choice.
She didn’t even get to read the handwritten letter from the Grand Duke—it was taken away before she could.
All she knew was that she had been “chosen” for marriage.
Maya did not want to get married.
Not because her partner was the Grand Duke.
But because, no matter how you looked at it, this marriage would only bring misery to the man.
Her family immediately became excited after seeing the proposal.
“The Grand Duke will pay for everything anyway. He doesn’t even spend much, so he must have tons of money saved up! We should use it for him!”
Their proud words were so foolish it was as if their brains had been boiled.
Am I really even related to these people?
She could not accept them as her family, but unfortunately, her unmatched sword talent was proof that she carried Pendragon blood.
What should I do?
With a family like this, marriage was already out of the question.
And the truth was—she had never even met the man.
She had once thought about getting married someday, but her standards were strict.
He had to be handsome, have a good voice, a disciplined personality, and never look at anyone else…
Her ideal man was practically someone who did not exist in this world.
In any case, rejecting a Grand Duke’s proposal required a serious reason.
Even if the sky was falling, there was always a way out.
And at that moment, Maya awakened as a Swordmaster.
With the power of the White Dragon, Maya became one of the greatest swordsmen in the Empire’s history.
Naturally, the Emperor summoned her and offered her the position of Captain of the Imperial Knights.
Knight Commander or marriage.
With her marriage timing approaching, she faced the biggest dilemma of her life.
The answer came quickly.
“Of course, Knight Commander.”
If she became Knight Commander, she could fully use her sword skills.
Maya gladly went to the Emperor to accept the position.
“I have been waiting for a loyal subject like you.”
Her choice was not wrong.
“Would you not become a comrade and friend who can lead this empire with me?”
Her family had always doubted and belittled her.
But the Emperor—who had no blood relation to her at all—trusted her completely.
For the first time in her life, someone believed in her.
Her heart trembled.
A girl who had never properly attended a debutante ceremony and had barely survived reality was starving for recognition.
Moved by the Emperor’s trust, Maya swore loyalty.
“There is something I wish to say, Your Majesty.”
And so, she revealed the weakness of House Pendragon.
“Please become my contract partner for six months.”
Awakened members of Pendragon could use the power of the White Dragon, the family’s first ancestor.
But dragons were solitary beings, far from kindness or empathy.
Each time a Pendragon awakened their power, they gradually lost their humanity. During the first six months, they needed a contract partner to help preserve their humanity.
Someone who could remind them of human emotion and reason.
For six months, the contract partner would essentially become their identity anchor.
Maya needed such a partner after awakening—and meeting the Emperor was the perfect opportunity.
“I will gladly accept.”
The Emperor’s eyes shone, and he immediately agreed.
Maya thought he was a bold and generous ruler.
To think the person I serve is like this.
She believed her future would be filled with sunshine.
But she had forgotten something.
That flowers can only grow on rough soil made of dirt.
“I don’t like this. Kill them.”
Once the Emperor obtained Maya, he transformed into a tyrant.
Anyone he disliked—commoner or noble—was killed without hesitation.
“Your Majesty, I am sorry, but as your subject I must speak—”
“I refuse.”
Her words were never heard.
“This must be a momentary whim.”
Maya tried to understand the Emperor.
He was the first and only person who had ever acknowledged her.
But she didn’t even need to.
Because of the contract, Maya slowly began to assimilate into the Emperor’s mindset.
Don’t they deserve to die anyway?
She started thinking thoughts that were not like her at all.
I’m going insane.
At this point, she had to admit it.
The Emperor was garbage.
She wanted to break his neck.
Even though she knew killing her contract partner would mean her own death as well.
Her identity as “Maya Pendragon” faded more and more.
Blood of innocent people stained her hands.
She became the Emperor’s puppet and gained a terrifying reputation.
When she regained her senses, she cried, saying she had been used—but no one believed her.
Just hearing her name filled people with fear.
What did I even become Knight Commander for?
She cursed herself for once asking the Emperor to become her contract partner.
She fell into despair, only to again fall under his influence and continue killing.
She thought her life could not sink any lower.
Until she learned the Emperor’s true reason for choosing her.
“I picked you because your looks are my type. Who knew you’d be this useful?”
Even her swordsmanship—her only pride—was dismissed.
What am I even living for?
She thought her days would remain dark forever.
Until she met him.
“…Maya Pendragon.”
A man in a pitch-black helmet entered her vision.
It had been a long time since she had returned to being “Maya Pendragon,” after living like the Emperor’s dog.
“Who are you?”
Maya asked even though she already knew.
Grand Duke Tristan—the man who once proposed to her.
Instead of answering, the man asked in confusion.
“Why didn’t you report my arrival to the Emperor even though you knew I was coming?”
“You are Grand Duke Tristan, aren’t you?”
While Maya was becoming a tool of the Emperor’s corruption, Grand Duke Tristan Beyaden had expanded his influence in the North and led battles wearing a black helmet.
The descendant of the Black Dragon!
Grand Duke Tristan had become a hero to the people.
Is he truly better than the Emperor now?
Maya, who no longer trusted nobles after the Emperor, hesitated.
She followed his actions.
Wherever he went, he used his wealth to help people and create jobs.
He was rebuilding life from barren land.
His knights were marching toward the capital.
“Kill Grand Duke Tristan, Maya.”
It was the Emperor’s order.
But Maya did not obey.
Still, this was her last memory as “Maya Pendragon,” so she knew—if she lost control, she might kill the Grand Duke.
At the same time, she hoped he was strong enough to surpass her.
Because she wanted to break free from this chain.
Good.
Seeing him here, it seemed Grand Duke Tristan was not only a man of character, but also of capability.
“The Emperor is in the garden.”
“Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you his person?”
“I am not.”
Seeing the confused Grand Duke, Maya smiled.
“I am simply Maya Pendragon.”
Yes.
Just Maya Pendragon.
Not the Emperor’s dog.
That thought alone made her feel relieved.
“Grand Duke!”
People rushed in behind Tristan.
Maya sensed it—this was the end.
Her life, buried in mud, was finally over.
If I get caught, I’ll die horribly.
She had no right to complain.
She had taken far more lives than she could count.
“Capture Maya Pendragon.”
The Grand Duke gave a simple order and turned toward the garden, likely to deal with the Emperor himself.
His gesture alone rallied everyone’s morale.
To end the rebellion properly, the Grand Duke had to personally execute the Emperor.
“Please make it as painful as possible.”
Maya spoke her final wish.
The Grand Duke paused and looked back at her.
It was a request that could easily be ignored. She had been the Emperor’s killing dog.
“…I’ll try.”
But Tristan did not ignore her.
Even his voice carried consideration.
So actions matter more than words.
If only she hadn’t been deceived by the Emperor’s sweet lies…
If only she had met this man instead…
Would she have been able to become someone better?
